Hamilton capped a glorious return to Texas with a 9th-inning, pinch-hit, two-run double to beat the Red Sox Sunday in Arlington. While the crowd roared and teammates dumped Powerade on him, it was momentarily impossible to remember Hamilton’s past transgressions.

“A game like today reminds you of the good times with the Rangers,” Hamilton said on Fox Sports Southwest after the game. “It’s been one of the most fun weeks I’ve ever had in baseball. It’s been awesome. I’m going to keep on having fun.”

After a rehab stint due to shoulder surgery, Hamilton joined the Rangers and has been nothing but a positive influence. The team is 5-2 since adding him to the roster. He went 5 for 11 with two homers and five RBI as the Rangers took three of four from Boston. Oh, and so far zero disruptions.

Thanks to Hamilton’s dramatic heroics the Rangers went 19-11 in May and are now 26-25. It’s the first time they’ve been over .500 since being 31-30 last June 6. After that point last year they went 36-65.

If Hamilton keeps hitting, no such drought is headed the Rangers’ way.

A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.